he had cultivated with so much care, with a feeling almost of regret,
knowing that he was to part from them for ever. Before leaving them,
however, he planted a number of ripe seeds, and repaired his hut, in
case any other person might be cast on shore on the island. The crosses
were also repaired.
"We had not intended landing on the island till we saw them," observed
Mr Manners. "When our eyes caught sight of them, we knew that some
Christian person must be, or must have been, on the island; and, though
eager to proceed on our voyage, we at once resolved to touch at the
place. I pray that, before long, the time may come for the cross to be
erected on every island throughout the wide Pacific, not as the symbol
of nominal Christianity, of a religion of forms and ceremonies, but as
the sign of a true and living faith, of a spiritual worship acceptable
to God."
The last remarks, though spoken aloud, were made by Mr Manners rather
to himself than to those near him.
All preparations having been made, the whole party, with Ben Hadden,
embarked on board the canoe. She was paddled out into the open sea, the
wind was fair, the sail was hoisted, and Ben soon saw his island home
sink beneath the horizon.
The difficulties in the navigation of the voyage just commenced were
very great. Mr Manners had saved only a boat's compass; he had no
quadrant and no chart. He calculated that they were about sixteen
hundred miles at least from Samoa, for which group he shaped his course.
They expected to meet with several islands on the way, but though the
inhabitants of some of them had been converted to Christianity, those of
others were still sunk in heathen darkness and barbarism. It would be
necessary for them, therefore, to be very careful on which they landed.
In the one case, they would be sure of a friendly reception; in the
other they would be attacked, and probably murdered, if not on their
guard. Ben hoped that at all events they might touch at several
islands, that he might have more opportunities of making inquiries about
Ned. He found that strict discipline was maintained on board the canoe.
All on board were divided into watches, taking regularly their turns of
duty. Morning and evening there were prayers, led by Mr Manners in
English and by Marco in his own language. The day was begun by all
joining in a hymn, then the Scriptures were read and commented on by the
respective readers. Ben was very glad to find that Tom took a great
interest in their services, and spoke on religious subjects in a tone
that he had never before done.
"Why, you see, Ben," said Tom, "on that awful night of the wreck I
thought that we were all going to be drowned, and when, after all, we
got on shore, I felt how merciful and kind God had been to save such a
wicked fellow as I was, instead of you, who was so much more fit to go
to Him. I was still very sorry for you, for your mother's sake, and I
knew father would be very sorry when he heard of it. I do not suppose
that those thoughts would have lasted very long; I am afraid not: but
then, Mr Manners spoke to me so kindly, that I felt what an ungrateful
wretch I should be if I didn't give my heart to so good and merciful a
God; and from that day to this I have been trying to do so. It is not
very easy, even among the few of our poor fellows remaining; but Mr
Manners says that I must pray for grace, and not trust to my own
strength, and that then, if I am sincere and not a hypocrite to myself,
that I should have every confidence of being supported and protected.
It is that thought, Ben, which gives me so much comfort. Otherwise I
should be very unhappy, and not at all sure that I should not be a
castaway after all."
"That is just the same thought that has made me always happy," remarked
Ben. "I know that God never casts out any who go to Him through Christ,
and trust to Him completely, and not to themselves, while they try to
love and serve Him as much as they can, though that is very little after
all I can't tell you, though, Tom, how glad I am to hear you speak so,
and I am sure that your father will be still more glad, if we ever find
the ship again, which I hope we may do."
"That's the very thing I am afraid of," said Tom. "I shall be very glad
indeed to see my father again; but when I get back among the other boys,
and into old ways again, I shall be apt to do just as before, and to
talk nonsense and play all my old tricks. I say, Ben, if we ever do get
back, you must help me! Won't you, there's a good fellow?"
Of course Ben promised Tom that he would help him as much as he could,
though he reminded him also that he must depend on himself in one sense,
though not on his own strength, for that effectual strength he could
alone obtain through the aid of the Holy Spirit.
The wind was light, and the sea calm, and the canoe glided smoothly over
the water. She was of a curious construction, being in reality two
canoes connected by a very strong platform. The mast was a triangle,
which supported a mat-sail spread on a long yard. The vessel had not to
go about; but, as the stem and stern were alike, she sailed equally well
both ways. At each end there were long oars, which served as rudders;
but in calms she was impelled by paddles, and could thus also be moved
at a considerable rate. Nobody on board was idle. In calm weather
every one was employed in paddling or steering. Mr Manners took his
turn with the rest. If there was a sea,--that is to say, if it was
rough,--Ben and Tom, with the assistance of two or three others, had
enough to do to bale out the water. A constant look-out was also
necessary, to avoid any reefs or low islands in their course. Ben was
very happy. He had been so long without talking, that it was a
satisfaction to him once more to use his tongue, though still greater to
hear other people talk, especially Mr Manners and Tom, when they spoke
on subjects in which he was interested. As for his own tongue, when
once set going, he found no little difficulty in again stopping it.
The weather continued so calm, that it was impossible to say to what
extent the voyage might be prolonged: it was necessary, therefore, to
use the greatest economy in the consumption of water and their scanty
supply of provisions. A small allowance of food and water was served
out to each person three times a day; but no one grumbled, for all saw
the necessity of the arrangement.
Six days had passed by since the canoe had left Ben Hadden's island, as
Mr Manners called it, when land was sighted ahead, or rather, the trees
which grew on it, for their tops were first seen. It was an island
extending for three or four miles across the horizon. No one on board
knew anything about the island, but they hoped that they might there
obtain a fresh supply of water and provisions, and, should it be
inhabited by Christians, that they might gain some information as to
their direct course for Samoa. Accordingly they steered for an opening
which appeared in the barrier-reef. On getting through it, other rocks
were seen ahead, and Mr Manners was afraid, should he stand on, of
injuring the canoe. The sail was lowered, and they were about to paddle
off again in order to search for a safe landing-place, when a man was
seen on the shore beckoning them. First he pointed to the right hand,
by which they knew that they were to sail in that direction; then he
beckoned directly to himself, afterwards to the left, and so on. By
following his directions, they reached the beach in safety. He was a
wild-looking person dressed in a leaf hat, something like the one Ben
had made for himself, with a seaman's tattered jacket, and a kilt of
native cloth. His feet and legs were bare, his hair was long, and hung
down over his shoulders, while in his hand he carried a heavy club,
which he grasped tightly, as if he considered it likely to prove a
friend in need. Notwithstanding his wild appearance, it was easy to
perceive by the colour of his skin, sunburnt as it was, that he was not
a native. He seemed very much surprised at seeing white men on board
the canoe, for he did not appear to have discovered that till they were
on the point of landing. He did not, however, address them, but spoke
to the natives in a language which they understood. Marco inquired of
him whether there were other inhabitants on the island, and whether they
were Christians. He said that there were a great many; that they were
not _Lota_, that is Christians, but that they were a very good sort of
people. They had sent him on to the end of the reef to pilot in the
canoe, he said, and they themselves would soon come to welcome the
strangers. He had scarcely spoken before a large number of wild, nearly
naked savages came out from among the trees. They were armed with
spears and clubs, had long matted hair like a black thatch over their
heads, and were altogether a very forbidding, unattractive set of
beings. Still, from what they said to Marco and the other natives, and
by their actions, they appeared to be friendlily disposed towards their
visitors. It was near evening, and they signified that, if the visitors
would remain overnight, they would the next day bring all the provisions
required, and plenty of calabashes of pure water, which they stated was
to be obtained in the middle of the island. Mr Manners thanked them,
and said that he would remain till the next day. The natives then
invited them to come and sleep on shore; but this Mr Manners declined,
as he preferred sleeping on board the canoe. To allow more room on
board, he said that he would not object to some of his people building
huts of boughs for themselves on the beach, but urged them on no account
to go to a distance from it. The natives, however, to show their good
intentions, brought down to the beach a supply of taro and other roots
and fruits, likewise as much fresh-water as their visitors would
require. They seemed, as Mr Manners thought, rather disappointed that
no one would accompany them away from the shore. They stood by while
the provisions were being cooked, rather astonished at the proceeding;
still greater was their surprise when the natives sung a hymn and
offered up a prayer before they began to eat. What it could all mean of
course they could not tell, but they probably had an idea that it was
some sort of incantation, for they were seen to draw back for some
distance, and not till the hymn was finished did they return, when they
stood looking on as before.
Ben and Tom, with two of the English seamen, were allowed to go on shore
that they might draw the white man, if possible, into conversation, if
he could speak English. He had hitherto kept aloof from the strangers,
and even stood behind his native companions while the hymn was being
sung. When the natives had finished singing, Ben stood up and said the
short grace which his father had been accustomed to repeat before meals.
The white man, who at that time was standing a little way apart from
his companions while Ben was speaking, drew nearer to him, and seemed to
be listening attentively.
"I say, old fellow, come and have something to eat," said one of the
seamen, holding out a bit of taro at the end of his knife.
The white man looked wistfully towards the strangers; then he cast a
glance at the scowling, savage-looking natives who were watching him,
and, shaking his head, again drew farther back from them. There he sat
without speaking, and each time either Ben or Tom, or the other two
seamen, addressed him, he shook his head, as if either he did not
understand, or, at all events, did not wish to hold any communication
with them.
While the party who purposed sleeping on the shore were putting up their
huts, and collecting leaves for their beds, the natives and the white
man, as before, stood watching them, but made no offer of assistance.
The Christian visitors again sang a hymn, as the sun set and darkness
came on. Then commending themselves to the protection of Heaven, they
crept into their huts, and lay down to sleep. Ben and his shipmates,
finding that the natives and their white associate had gone away, soon
after followed their example; one of the seamen promising to sleep with
one eye open, so as to be on the watch, though it was the opinion of all
that the natives were a quiet sort of people, who would do them no harm.
There was no moon; but the sky was clear, and the bright stars which
glittered forth from it in countless numbers, in that pure atmosphere,
afforded sufficient light to enable objects to be visible at a little
distance.
Ben had slept for some time, he fancied, when he was awakened by feeling
a hand placed on his arm.
"Hist, youngster! don't lie sleeping there," whispered a voice in his
ear. "Rouse up the other Englishmen. Get on board the canoe, and be
off, or you'll all be murdered. Never mind the natives with you. If
you wake them up, there'll be a noise, and the people of the place will
be down on them. Don't speak above a whisper, whatever you do. The
people are not far off, and I found it a hard job to steal away."
Ben at once comprehended that some danger was threatened. He sat up,
and saw the stranger white man standing over him.
"Leave our Christian friends! No, we will never do that," he answered.
"I will go and arouse them, while you can awake my shipmates; and,
whoever you are, you must come with us."
"Well, well, I'll do as you wish," answered the white man; "only be
sharp, and tell the people to creep along over the ground, so as not to
be seen at a distance. We must climb into the canoe, and shove off
without any noise, or they will be down on us before we can get clear of
the reefs."
Without wasting more time on words, Ben crept off to where Marco was
sleeping; he had fortunately noted the place. Awaking him, he told him
of the warning he had received, and Marco quickly aroused the rest of
his party.
It was with difficulty that the seamen could be prevented from speaking
when called; in a couple of minutes, however, the whole party were
creeping down towards the canoe, which lay afloat alongside some rocks
running into the water. They were all quickly on board, followed by the
young Englishman--for such it was supposed the white man was, by his
language.
"Shove off, sir!" he whispered to Mr Manners, who had only then been
aroused. "No time to lose. I will go to the helm."
The advice was instantly followed; the warps were cast off, the paddles
got out, and the canoe began slowly to glide out from among the rocks.
Scarcely, however, had she begun to move than loud shouts were heard,
and large numbers of the savage natives were seen rushing down from
among the trees to the beach. When they found that the canoe had moved
from the rocks, they yelled and shouted more fiercely than ever.
"Give way, lads! give way!" cried the stranger; "there is a narrow place
where they may catch us if we are not smart."
Neither the English seamen nor the natives required any urging, but
paddled away as hard as they could. They saw the savages indeed, their
figures standing out against the sky, as they hurried along over the
rocks, shouting, and leaping, and brandishing their spears. Before the
canoe had got far, a shower of spears and darts fell among the party on
board; but, thrown from a distance, not much injury was done, and they
were only stimulated to increased exertion. Alone, they could not, in
the dark, have found their way out through the passage in the reefs; the
young man, however, seemed confident that he knew the right course to
steer. Not a word was spoken; each man paddled as hard as he could.
Gradually the rocks were left behind, and the last passage between the
reefs was seen; beyond was the open sea. The shouts and shrieks of the
savages became fainter and fainter. They either had not had time to
launch their canoes, or were afraid to attack the large double canoe in
them. In a short time Mr Manners and his companions were in safety.
Once more a course was steered for Samoa. All were thankful for their
narrow and providential escape, and did not fail to express their
gratitude to the young Englishman who had been the means of preserving
their lives. He, however, seemed unwilling to talk on the subject.
"Nothing particular, sir, to thank me for," he answered. "Less said
about it the better, according to my notion."
It was fortunate that they had economised their small stock of water and
provisions, as they had been unable to replenish them at the island from
which they had just escaped. It was necessary to be even still more
careful than before, because it might be some time before they could
reach any other island where they could obtain what they required.
Most of the English seamen were loud in their threats of vengeance
against the savages, for their treacherous conduct.
"If we ever reach the old Ajax, we would like to get her to go back and
blow the fellows to pieces," said one.
"No, no; that is not the way to treat them," observed Marco, when he
understood what was said. "The way to treat them will be to send a
missionary to teach them better things. With God's aid, that will we do
as soon as we reach our own island, or can let our brethren at Raratonga
know of their condition."
"Yes, you do speak like a real Christian, Marco," answered the seaman
who had thoughtlessly made the proposal. "That's the right way, to be
sure: I didn't mean that I would really wish to kill the poor savages,
for of course they don't know better."
The next morning the wind was fair, the sea smooth, and the canoe glided
swiftly over the waters. The work of the day was commenced, as usual,
with a hymn and a prayer, and then the Scriptures were read. The young
stranger stood aloof, disinclined, as it seemed, to join in the service.
At length, Mr Manners invited him to join in the prayer he was about
to offer up with his own men in English.
"Thank ye, sir," answered the stranger, giving the usual seaman's pull
at his hair, when addressing an officer. "It's so long since I have
prayed, that I have forgotten how."
"That is a sad thing, my lad," answered Mr Manners, "the sooner, then,
you begin the better. Did you ever learn how to read your Bible?"
"Once, sir, long ago; but I have forgotten all about that too, I am
afraid," answered the stranger. "For better than three years I haven't
spoken a word of English. I don't think I could read, even if I was to
try ever so much."
"We will see about that after we have had prayers," said Mr Manners in
a kind tone. "There is a lad here who never, I believe, misses reading
the Bible every day of his life, if he can avoid it. He will help me to
teach you; won't you, Ben?"
"Yes, sir, very gladly," said Ben Hadden, who was appealed to.
After prayers, and when Mr Manners had offered up thanks for the
preservation of himself and his companions from the hands of the
treacherous savages, Ben brought out his well-worn Testament, which was
somewhat the worse for the wetting it had got in salt-water, and, at a
sign from Mr Manners, he went up to the stranger, and offered to read
to him. Mr Manners told him to select the parable of the Prodigal Son,
and several other portions of Scripture likely to interest a person
whose mind had long been dormant to spiritual matters. The young man
was evidently very much interested. Suddenly he interrupted Ben by
remarking--
"That's just such a book as I once had. I remember it well. My father
gave it to me just before I went to sea. I lost it, though, and have
never looked into another since."
"My father gave this to me, and I've kept it carefully ever since. I
wouldn't lose it for worlds," said Ben. "Look here: he wrote my name in
it with his own hand. See: `Benjamin Hadden'--though I was always
called in our parts, Little Ben Hadden."
"You Ben Hadden!" exclaimed the stranger in a husky voice. "Did you
ever hear speak of your brother Ned?"
"Yes indeed," cried Ben eagerly; "I came out to these parts to look for
him. Can you tell me anything about him?"
"Well, I should think so," answered the stranger in the same husky voice
as before; "though, to be sure, I cannot tell you much in his favour.
What should you say if I was to tell you that I am Ned Hadden?"
"You my brother Ned!" exclaimed Ben, in a half-disappointed and doubting
tone of voice. "You wouldn't deceive me, surely. I have long and long
wished to find him. But are you indeed my brother Ned? Oh, tell me!
tell me!"
"Yes, I am Ned Hadden--or was, there is no doubt about that; but I have
become such a savage sort of chap, that I don't know very well what I am
now."
Ben seized Ned's hand, and burst into tears. His brother was so
different from what he had expected to find him--so rough and
savage-looking almost, and ignorant; yet he was thankful that he had
found him. Afterwards, when he thought the matter over, he saw that he
had still greater reason to be thankful that he had found him, for Ned's
own sake: the more savage and ignorant he was, the more important that
he should be instructed in the truths of the gospel. From that moment
forward that was Ben's daily, hourly task. He wished the voyage to be
prolonged, that he might have his brother more to himself, to read to
him, and teach him the Truth. Mr Manners took great pleasure in
helping him in his pious task, and it was easy to see that Ned profited
greatly by their instruction. His first inquiries had been for his
family. He was much affected by hearing of the death of his father and
brothers. That very event seemed to soften his heart, and make him
willing to listen attentively to what Mr Manners and Ben said to him.
He confessed that, when the canoe was seen approaching the island, he
had consented to assist the natives in decoying her in, with the
intention of destroying all on board; but that, on hearing the hymn
sung, and, more than all, on listening to Ben's grace, the words of
which sounded familiar to his ears, recollecting his early principles,
he resolved to save the visitors, whom he also knew to be his
countrymen.
All this came out but slowly, as his mind expanded under the instruction
he was receiving. He had been so long among savages and heathens that
he had imbibed many of their notions and principles; instead of
improving them, he had nearly sunk to their level. Such has unhappily
been the case with numerous European and American sailors, who have
either been wrecked or have deserted their ships, and have lived long
among the once savage inhabitants of the islands of the Pacific. Many
of them have proved, by their evil influence and example, sad hindrances
to the efforts of the missionaries in spreading among the natives the
truths of the gospel.
For several days the canoe glided slowly on. Though strongly built, her
form was not equal to those constructed by the Tonga islanders, noted
for their speed among the surrounding groups of islands.
Mr Manners had begun to grow very anxious with regard to their
provisions and water. Before he could hope to reach their final
destination, it would be absolutely necessary to touch at some island
where they might replenish their stock, both of one and the other. The
weather, too, had shown signs of changing; and the sea, hitherto so
calm, began to tumble and toss the canoe about in a way which strained
her greatly, and made it necessary for a number of those on board to be
continually baling. As the sea increased more and more, it was
necessary to do this night and day without ceasing. All on board were
accordingly looking out anxiously for some island where they might find
shelter till the stormy weather was over.
For two days the wind had been increasing, and when night came on it was
already blowing a heavy gale. The sail was lowered, and the canoe drove
before it, kept by the rudder and paddles from broaching to. The night
became very dark; on drove the canoe; breakers were heard not far off,
and most of those on board believed that their last hour was come.